Government reduces working hours

President Abdulla Yameen has decided to set 8:00am to 2:00pm as new working hours for government offices effective tomorrow (October 1).

“The President’s decision was made in order to provide the opportunity for government employees to spend quality time with their families, to work in the private sector apart from the government, and to facilitate youth to be more involved in sports activities, further education and technical professions,” the president’s office said.

The previous working hours were from 8:00am to 3:00pm. Ministers advised President Abdulla Yameen at a cabinet meeting today to shorten the working day from seven to six hours “following extensive deliberations”.

The 30-minute lunch break either between 12:00pm to 12:30pm or 1:00pm to 1:30pm will remain unchanged. A 30-minute break is mandatory under the Employment Act.

The government employs some 25,118 civil servants, nearly half of whom earn a monthly salary of less than MVR5,000 (US$324).

The previous working hours were set by the administration of former President Dr Mohamed Waheed in March 2012.

In January 2009, then-Vice President Waheed had announced longer working hours of 8:00am to 4:00pm under his predecessor former President Mohamed Nasheed’s administration.